SIPTU Calls For Jobseekers Benefit Increase As Tara Mines Remains Closed

Friday, 27 October 2023 09:16

The trade union want to see enhanced social welfare supports.

Workers at Tara mines face the prospect of falling into poverty as the temporary closure of the mine heads into its fifth month.

The SIPTU trade union is calling for the an immediate introduction of pay-related Jobseeker's Benefit.

The union is seeking a commitment from all public representatives to support an Irish Congress of Trade Unions proposal for Jobseeker's Benefit to be increased to 70% of average earnings capped at €550 for a minimum of nine months.

SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane says the owners of the mines have still not given a commitment on a date for its reopening:

Tara Mines says it's doing "everything it can to expedite a timely re-opening."

It says it's been in continious engagement with the Unions, and is working on developing a "rescue plan."

That will include a series of workshops aimed at adressing the operational challenges at Tara Mines, which it says was one of four factors resulting in the decision to temporarily enter care and maintenance.

Tara Mines says the re-opening will be heavily influenced by external market conditions, but the rescue plan will expedite the process.

In a statement to Midlands 103, Tara Mines says:

"We greatly appreciate the impact that the lack of a return date is having on our employees, and we are doing everything we can to expedite a timely re-opening.

Since the onset of care and maintenance we have been in continuous dialogue with the group of unions, and in our meeting on October 12th we agreed to extend the current employee support package.

We also agreed to work with the unions on the development of a rescue plan.

The first step in the development of the plan will be to hold a series of independently-facilitated innovation workshops attended by unions, employees and management representatives.

The purpose of these workshops is to focus on the exchange of ideas and knowledge, so as to address operational challenges at Tara Mines.

These challenges were one of the four factors that led to the decision to temporarily enter care and maintenance.

Ultimately the re-opening of the mine will be heavily influenced by external market conditions, but the development of the rescue plan, which is within our control, will help to expedite the process.

Our focus is on the development of a plan that will ensure re-opening can take place as soon as conditions allow.

We will continue to engage locally with the unions throughout this process."